Dante

Fowler Jr.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport observed the incident, noting Williams “planted his left foot [and] grabbed immediately for the back of his left knee” before going down. The Cowboys’ defensive line lost multiple high-impact contributors from the 2023 unit, including EDGEs Dante Fowler Jr. (18.3 percent) and Dorance Armstrong (12.9 percent) who followed former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to the Washington Commanders this offseason. Both players finished top four on the team in QB pressure rate. The Cowboys starting defensive lineup is chock-full of elite players but the pass-rush depth is evaporating.

Fowler is yet another former Cowboy now set to join Dan Quinn in Washington. Fowler was drafted by the Jaguars with the No. 3 overall pick in 2015 and has spent the last two seasons in Dallas, totaling 40 tackles, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His breakout year came in 2019 when he totaled 11.5 sacks with the Rams and has played primarily in pass rush situations for his career. He becomes the third pass rusher to join the Commanders during this legal tampering period as Quinn continues to address one of the team’s biggest needs.

He’ll again be a rotational member of their pass rush after putting up six sacks in the 2022 season. Fowler did a very nice job last season taking advantage of good matchups as opponents game planned to stop Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Fowler joined Dallas on a one-year last March and put up solid numbers with his new team. With the Cowboys already having an elite pass-rush, Fowler was relegated to a part-time role but still managed to total six sacks, seven TFLs, and a pair of forced fumbles. The two sides should be able to reach an agreement soon, though Fowler will at least hear calls from other teams if there are multiple offers on the table.

Fowler reunites with DC Dan Quinn, who overlapped with Fowler as head coach of the Falcons in 2020. Released from Atlanta after registering 7.5 sacks in two seasons, Dallas is buying low on Fowler with the hope he’ll rebound in Quinn’s scheme. Fowler will help fill the pass-rush void left by ex-Cowboys DE Randy Gregory leaving for Denver this offseason.

Signed to a massive three-year, $45 million deal ahead of the 2020 season, Fowler registered a total of 7.5 sacks in his two seasons with the Falcons, which spanned 28 games. The 27-year-old had his 2022 voided after a recent restructure, but the Falcons are cutting the cord early, allowing Fowler to seek immediate employment. Fowler is unlikely to ever replicate his 11.5 sacks playing with Aaron Donald and the Rams in 2019, the season that got him the big deal from Atlanta.

Fowler led the team in quarterback pressures, hits, and sacks prior to sustaining his knee injury before Atlanta’s bye. He’ll presumably return at full strength since he was activated the moment he became eligible to return.

Fowler notably led the team in quarterback pressures, hits, and sacks prior to sustaining his knee injury before Atlanta’s bye. He’ll miss the next three games with hopes of returning when eligible in Week 10.

It’s a blow for the struggling Atlanta defense and a potential upgrade for Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami offense. Fowler this season leads the Falcons in quarterback pressures, hits, and sacks.

A few days removed from the COVID-19 list, Fowler went from limited to did not practice on Friday. It’s a worrisome downgrade for the Falcons’ top edge rusher. The Falcons offense is deservedly getting the attention with injuries, but losing Fowler would be a troubling development with the efficient Raiders coming to Atlanta.